Have you ever stepped outside on a summer day and found it uncomfortable to breathe? Maybe the air felt thick or you were coughing during a walk that normally wouldn’t bother you. While you may think your symptoms are due to the heat and humidity, air quality can also play a role.

Many people are surprised to learn that air pollution can be worse during the summer. Luckily, healthy lungs can usually handle short-term exposure to pollutants and irritants in the air, but poor air quality may be a bigger problem for children, older adults and people with lung conditions.

Coughing and wheezing and not sure why? The air you’re breathing may be to blame.